Onam 2023:  9 Traditional Festive Sadhya Dishes Gets A Makeover

By Bornika Das

August 23, 2023

Image Credit: Karthumbi

This year Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala has already begun. In this festival, a colourful traditional cuisine consisting of more than 20 dishes is served on banana leaf called ‘Sadhya’ or ‘Sadya.’ There are some specific dishes that are served in Onam Sadya. However, you can customise in your own way by incorporating your favourite dishes. Take a look at some of them: 

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Varuthu Aracha Sambar 

Onam Sadya is incomplete without Sambar. However, if you’re bored with regular sambar, try this Varuthu Aracha Sambar. The main difference between Malabar-style and regular sambar is that dried and grind coconut is used which leaves a fresh aroma.

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Ripe Banana Kalan 

Kalan is another important dish without which Sadya is incomplete. With hike in the banana price, opt for a ripe banana this time rather than the raw one. 

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Cheera Avial 

Avial is an important dish in Kerala Onam Sadya. For this dish, opt for spinach which in nutritious as well as healthy. 

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Raw Mango Curry 

Make the sadya more rich with more curries deviating from the traditional. To make it unique you can add raw mango curry to the platter. Two main ingredients include coconut milk and raw mango.

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Mushroom Theyal 

Theeyal is a Kerala dish which is special only in some parts of Kerala. To make this dish unique and children’s favourite, you can add mushroom to it. 

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Carrot Payasam 

Pamper yourself with this vegetable payasam after the meal with an easy and sweet dessert. If you’re bored of the regular payasam, indulge into carrot payasam for a change. 

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Green Chilli Pickle

Pickles are one of the condiments that is necessarily included in the platter of Sadya. This green chilli pickle is a hot and sour pickle and can become your favourite. 

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Capsicum Thoran 

The thoran which is a must for any sadya always come with the ususal cabbage or long beans. This rare vegetable capsicum can be tried out. 

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Mixed Vegetable Raita 

Let us deviate from the traditional pachadi variety and get into something cool, refreshing and easy to make for this Onam. Why not try this mixed vegetable pachadi which is colourful and easy to remember.

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